Community first
Programs begin with local priorities, relationships, and cultural context.
Community-led health care since 2004
Show up.
Listen deeply.
Build health together.
Join a hands-on service-learning trip to Puerto Peñasco—where community-focused naturopathic care and advanced regenerative therapies are provided free of charge.
Current field program
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora
01 Our mission
Health equity grows from local knowledge, trusted relationships, and care that lasts.
Naturopaths Without Borders works to close the global health equity gap by building the capacity of underserved communities and service organizations through training, education, direct care, and sustainable resources.
Our volunteers learn alongside local partners. We focus on continuity, practical education, and community needs—not one-time intervention.
Learn by serving
Students and clinicians develop global-health skills under experienced supervision.
Build continuity
Return visits, education, and partnership make care more useful over time.
02 Our work
Mexico program
Returning every month. Growing care together.
NWB began monthly clinics in Puerto Peñasco in 2006, first with Manos de Ayuda, then New Birth Mexican Mission, and since 2018 with Templo La Hermosa. Today, volunteer teams provide community-focused naturopathic medicine alongside advanced regenerative injection therapies—including prolotherapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—at no cost to community members.
Advanced care, shared freely Students and clinicians learn side by side while patients receive supervised, ultrasound-guided regenerative therapies at no charge.
Students begin the work
NWB began as a student organization at what is now Sonoran University of Health Sciences.
Monthly care in Mexico
Dr. Sean and Dr. Sarah joined NWB leadership as recurring clinics began in Puerto Peñasco with Manos de Ayuda.
MamaBaby Haiti
Dr. Sean and Dr. Sarah launched in-country operations and lived in Haiti through 2011; additional NWB volunteers began serving there that year.
A nonprofit is born
Sean Hesler, ND; Sarah Preston Hesler, NMD; MaryK Geyer, ND; and Zeenia Junkeer, ND led NWB’s incorporation and establishment as a 501(c)(3), building on years of student-led service.
Community health in Haiti
A full-time program trained and supported local community health workers while expanding continuity of care.
Northern Thailand
NWB supported Dr. David Mar Naw and Where There Is No Doctor Organization in the hill tribes near Chiang Rai through volunteers, supplies, and fundraising.
Templo La Hermosa
Monthly clinics continue with community-focused naturopathic care and free regenerative therapies in Puerto Peñasco.
A path for prolotherapy
With the Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation and Honduran government, NWB helped establish legal permission for NDs to practice prolotherapy in Honduras.
Explore more of the story through AANMC’s NWB alumni profile and the Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation.
Care + clinical learning
Advanced therapies should not be reserved for people who can afford them.
At Templo La Hermosa, supervised teams pair foundational naturopathic care with regenerative injection therapies. Volunteers can gain experience with patient assessment, ultrasound guidance, prolotherapy, and the careful processing of platelet-rich plasma—while helping deliver those services free of charge.
Monthly since 2018One relationship, strengthened trip after trip.
03 Volunteer
Your next step
Bring your skills.
Come ready to learn.
Our monthly Mexico trips combine service, supervised learning, and respectful cross-cultural exchange. Volunteers may observe and assist with community-focused naturopathic care, ultrasound-guided procedures, prolotherapy, and PRP preparation according to their training and assigned role.
Open volunteer application- 1
Apply
Tell us about your background, availability, and what draws you to the work.
- 2
Connect
A trip coordinator will follow up with current dates, expectations, and preparation details.
- 3
Prepare
Complete the required orientation, logistics, and trip-fee steps for your team.
- 4
Serve and learn
Work beside supervising physicians and local partners while helping make both foundational and advanced care accessible.
04 Leadership
People who keep the work moving.
NWB is entirely volunteer-run. No member of our leadership or staff is paid; each contributes time and expertise to keep the work moving.
Executive Director · Supervising Physician · 501(c)(3) Co-founder
Sean Hesler, ND
Dr. Sean has helped lead NWB since 2006 and co-led its 2011 incorporation as a nonprofit. A naturopathic physician and educator specializing in global health and regenerative medicine, he helped launch MamaBaby Haiti’s in-country operations and trains clinicians in prolotherapy, PRP, and other advanced injection therapies.
Professional profile
Supervising Physician · 501(c)(3) Co-founder
Sarah Preston Hesler, NMD
Dr. Sarah has helped lead NWB since 2006, co-led its 2011 incorporation, and served as Director of Operations for more than a decade. An award-winning regenerative-medicine physician, author, educator, and humanitarian, she helped launch MamaBaby Haiti’s in-country operations and has trained thousands of students and clinicians.
Professional profile
Trip Coordinator · Supervising Physician
Annie Washio, ND
Dr. Annie brings a strong focus on evidence-informed regenerative medicine, ultrasound-guided injection therapies, and sustainable improvements in quality of life.
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Trip Coordinator · Chapter President
Anna Margaret Jackson, ND Student
Anna Margaret coordinates Mexico trips and leads the Sonoran University NWB Chapter, helping students turn preparation into thoughtful service.
Trip Coordinator · Chapter Vice-President
Sydnie Schlagheck, ND Student
Sydnie supports trip operations and student engagement. Her background includes cognitive science, clinical assisting, behavioral health, and yoga instruction.
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Lead Interpreter · Community Liaison
Barkley Pryor
A bilingual educator and nationally licensed soccer coach, Barkley helps build the trust, communication, and cultural connection that make each clinic work.
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Medicinary Coordinator
John Stanish
John coordinates the medicines and supplies that move through the clinic, bringing professional event-operations experience to complex trip logistics.
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Community Health Worker · Mexico
Merari Enriquez
A Puerto Peñasco community advocate connected with Project Mujeres, Merari provides local knowledge, continuity, and a trusted bridge between clinics and community.
Supervising Physician
Lauren Rueda, NMD
A Sonoran University graduate and regenerative-medicine clinician, Dr. Lauren also teaches perineural, trigger-point, and prolotherapy techniques to students and physicians.
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Supervising Physician
Melisa Clifton, NMD
A Tucson-based naturopathic physician with Honors in Community Health and professional Spanish proficiency, Dr. Melisa brings whole-person care and cross-cultural communication to the clinical team.
LinkedIn ↗Keep the clinic moving
Your gift becomes care, supplies, training, and access.
NWB is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3). Support the work directly or use the same secure page to pay volunteer trip fees.
Donate securelyFollow the work